Romantic comedy star known for her honey voice

Doris Day has died at the age of 97.

Her charitable foundation confirmed the legendary Hollywood star died early today at her Carmel Valley home in California.

The actress and singer found her biggest success with a series of bedroom comedies alongside Rock Hudson and James Garner, such as Pillow Talk and Move Over, Darling respectively.

However as the permissive age entered, her old-fashioned brand of chaste romance fell out of fashion.

After her final film in 1968, she went on to star in the CBS sitcom The Doris Day Show for five years. But she was not happy at having to do the show, which she did after her finding out that her third husband – who signed the deal – died having squandered her earnings and leaving her in huge debt.

Day’s other credits include the title role in Calamity Jane and starred the Alfred Hitchcock thrillerThe Man Who Knew Too Much with James Stewart, in which she famously sang Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be).

She was also one of the biggest singing stars of the 1950s and early 1960s hits including Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps, When I Fall In Love and Move Over Darling

Since her retirement from films, Day - whose real name was Doris Mary Kappelhoff - became an animal rights activist.

In a statement, the Doris Day Animal Foundation said: ' Day had been in excellent physical health for her age, until recently contracting a serious case of pneumonia, resulting in her death.  She was surrounded by a few close friends as she passed.

'During her three decades of work in film, Day starred in nearly every genre, not just as a singer/dancer but as an actress with superb comic timing, a natural talent for interpreting a role and a gift for evoking emotion. Her 39 films – many still incredibly popular and shown frequently today -- stand as a testament to her talent. '

The charity said that she wished to have no funeral or memorial service and no grave marker. 

Here is the trailer for Move Over Darling:

Published: 13 May 2019